Ethan's body ached as he sank onto a bench in the training room, breathing heavily. The hours of pushing his abilities had left him drained, both physically and mentally, and he was beginning to grasp just how much effort it would take to master his powers.
Sarah stood across from him, her expression softened by a glint of pride. "Not bad," she said. "For a newbie, you're making quick progress. Not everyone can summon their abilities on command so soon after Awakening."
Ethan rubbed his wrists, where faint traces of shadow still lingered, dissipating like smoke in the air. "It's… not what I expected," he admitted. "I thought it would feel more natural."
"Nothing about this is natural," a voice interrupted, drawing their attention to the entrance. Commander Alex Kane stepped into the room, his gaze steady on Ethan. "It's a steep learning curve, and that's by design. The system we're dealing with isn't kind—it forces you to keep leveling up, or you're left defenseless."
Kane walked over, his boots echoing against the concrete floor, and handed Ethan a canteen of water. "Drink up. We've got a long night ahead."
Ethan took a long gulp of water, the coolness refreshing his dry throat. "What else is there?"
"Tonight, just the basics," Kane replied. "Tomorrow, you'll start tactical training. Sarah will handle that."
Sarah gave him a nod, though her expression held a hint of warning. "If you're serious about joining us, there's a lot more to being Awakened than just summoning powers. There's teamwork, strategy, and above all, survival. Everyone here is counting on each other."
Ethan nodded, feeling a spark of determination ignite within him. He had made it this far—he could go further. The idea of working alongside others, of relying on people, was strange to him, but something about the camaraderie here felt… grounding.
Kane leaned against a nearby pillar, crossing his arms. "Let's talk about classes. You're an Eclipse Reaper, which is rare and highly specialized. It's one of the dark-magic classes, which makes you invaluable in certain types of encounters. But it also means you have certain… weaknesses."
Ethan glanced at him, intrigued. "Weaknesses?"
"Dark classes are powerful," Kane continued, "but they require control. If you push yourself too hard or let your emotions get the better of you, they can turn on you. You might accidentally harm an ally—or yourself."
Sarah chimed in, her voice more gentle. "You'll need to keep a tight rein on your emotions, Ethan. We all know how easy it is to get carried away, especially in the heat of a fight."
Ethan took a deep breath, feeling the weight of their words. Control was something he'd always struggled with. His past was littered with instances of anger and hurt that had led him down a darker path, one he'd spent years trying to escape.
He nodded. "I understand."
Kane gave him a brief, approving look. "Good. Now, there's one more thing we need to discuss before you're officially part of the team."
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "What's that?"
Kane straightened, his face turning serious. "Your first gate. You'll need to go through one before you can join us officially."
Ethan felt his stomach twist. The memory of the monsters spilling out of the gate was still fresh in his mind, the raw power of his Awakening barely enough to keep him alive.
"Isn't that… dangerous?" he asked, a tinge of apprehension in his voice.
"Dangerous, yes," Kane replied. "But it's necessary. The only way to truly understand what we're up against is to face it yourself. The gates we'll be sending you through are considered low-level. Sarah will be with you, and we'll monitor you from here."
Sarah offered him a reassuring nod. "You won't be alone. And I've got enough experience to pull you out if things go south."
Ethan took a deep breath, feeling a blend of fear and excitement stir within him. The idea of stepping into a gate, of facing creatures from another realm—it was overwhelming. But he knew there was no going back. His choice was made.
"When do we start?" he asked, his voice steady.
Kane's expression softened, just a fraction. "Tomorrow at dawn. Get some rest. You'll need it."
---
That night, Ethan lay on the stiff mattress in his assigned room, staring at the cracked ceiling. The training facility was sparse, a repurposed warehouse filled with dorm-style rooms, armories, and the training hall where he'd spent the day. But he found comfort in the utilitarian surroundings. It felt like the world outside—the quiet streets of Seattle, the life he'd left behind—was another reality altogether.
A knock on his door interrupted his thoughts. Sarah stood in the doorway, a small bundle in her hands.
"Hey," she said, stepping inside and placing the bundle on the small metal table by his bed. "Just thought you'd want some supplies for tomorrow. A field kit, gloves, and a few potions. Standard stuff."
Ethan sat up, studying the items she'd brought. The potions, contained in small glass vials, glowed faintly with a greenish light, while the gloves looked reinforced with some kind of material he couldn't identify.
"Potions?" he asked, holding one up to the dim light.
Sarah nodded. "Healing potions. They're rudimentary, but they'll give you a boost if you're injured. Use them sparingly, though. We only have so many, and crafting them is a hassle."
Ethan placed the vial back in the bundle, feeling a mix of nerves and gratitude. "Thanks, Sarah."
She offered a small smile. "No problem. You're part of the team now."
He paused, letting her words sink in. "Why did you join? The Awakened, I mean."
Sarah's expression softened, and she seemed to consider his question. "I lost someone close to me," she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper. "When I Awakened, I realized that maybe I could prevent others from going through the same pain. So… here I am."
Ethan nodded, sensing the weight behind her words. "I'm sorry," he said quietly.
Sarah gave him a grateful look. "Thanks. But that's why we're here. To protect others—and each other."
She rose to her feet, her usual confident demeanor returning. "Get some sleep, Ethan. Tomorrow will be a big day."
He watched her go, a strange warmth settling in his chest. As much as he was dreading the gate, he felt… ready. And for the first time in years, he didn't feel alone.
---
The next morning, the sun had barely risen when Ethan found himself standing in front of a gate. The portal crackled with an otherworldly energy, shimmering in shades of blue and violet, swirling like a storm contained in a single, endless loop. It was smaller than the one he'd seen the previous night, but no less intimidating.
Sarah stood beside him, her sword strapped to her back. Kane watched them from a distance, his expression unreadable.
"Ready?" she asked, her tone steady but supportive.
Ethan took a deep breath, his hands tightening around the hilt of the short blade they'd given him. It was nothing like the shadowy weapon he'd summoned the night before, but it felt solid, real.
"As ready as I'll ever be," he replied, his voice steady.
Together, they stepped forward, and as they entered the gate, the world shifted. Colors swirled around him, the sensation of falling overtaking him as he felt himself pulled through layers of reality, each one darker and more twisted than the last.
When they landed, the air was dense, the sky a sickly gray with no sun in sight. The landscape was barren, filled with jagged rocks and strange, twisting plants that seemed to writhe as though alive. The air was thick, carrying a faint metallic scent that made his skin crawl.
Sarah scanned the surroundings, her expression alert. "Stay close. These low-level gates usually have lesser monsters, but that doesn't mean they aren't dangerous."
Ethan nodded, gripping his blade tighter as they moved forward. The silence was oppressive, every sound amplified in the strange, alien landscape. Shadows flickered at the edges of his vision, making him feel like he was being watched.
Then, a low growl echoed from behind a jagged rock. Ethan froze, his heart hammering as a creature stepped into view. It was hunched and sinewy, with twisted limbs and eyes that glowed an unnatural red. Its teeth, sharp and glistening, were bared as it snarled at them.
Sarah moved into a fighting stance, her voice calm but firm. "This is it, Ethan. Stay calm. Focus. You've trained for this."
Ethan took a steadying breath, feeling the darkness coil within him, ready to be summoned. He looked at the creature, feeling the familiar surge of defiance and anger rising within him.
As the creature charged, Ethan thrust his hand forward, summoning a lance of shadowy energy. It shot out, striking the creature and sending it staggering back with a shriek.
He felt a surge of triumph—but he barely had a moment to breathe before two more creatures appeared, their eyes gleaming with malevolent hunger.
"Focus!" Sarah called, slashing at the nearest monster with practiced precision.
Ethan gritted his teeth, raising his hand and summoning the shadows once more.